Κυριακή 31 Μαρτίου 2013

Happiness is a matter of focus

this is a flower, not an insect
Happiness is a matter of focus.

Talking lately with some people, they asked me how do I manage to be so optimistic, so happy.

Got me thinking. How do I do it? I guess I focus on the positive. On my friends' big, honest smiles. On the beauty of team work. I focus on the small details that make my day better.

I know there are difficulties. I listen when someone is in need. I know there are bad news. I choose not to reproduct and spread them. I train myself not to feel overwhelmed by the bad stuff. This too shall pass.

Being optimistic, brings happy people my way. The bright side of life can only bring you bright experiences.

We are bigger, stronger than we think we are. We can make a difference.

As spring approaches, I am driving, rehearsing and teaching. three things I have never done before in my life. I am learning, getting out of my comfort zone. The reward is smiles from the kids I teach, smiles from my fellow amateur actors, smiles from my inner self when I manage to park the car or complete a difficult manoeuvre.

To travel is to learn. To travel is to change perspectives always.

Τετάρτη 6 Μαρτίου 2013

observing my surroundings

"Theatre is a waste of time." This is what a painter told me today.

I would understand it if the words came out of a mouth of anyone else who is not appreciative of the arts in general. But it came out of the mouth of an artist. I was so shocked that I did not ask him what he meant.  

Did he understand the heaviness of this statement? Is he thinking about it like I do right now? Most probably no, he is not.

In the past few days all I do is observe people. Observe what they say, how they critisize, what they have to say about others. Sometimes it comes to me as a surprise, as a shock.

Generalizations, taboos, stereotypes, are all here in my every day life. Being gay is bad, being a man actor is being gay, people who like avant garde are people who smell bad and never shave... to name but a few.

I try to stand up for gays and the avant garde and being different. I am not always succesful because the shock is to strong and my tongue and mind are not as quick.

The only thing I can really do is watch - think - process the data.

This small town and it's people have yet a lot to learn.